Thailand Tour 9 days: Highlights Discovery

Explore Thailand's must-sees in this Thailand Tour 9 days: Highlights Discovery! Visit Bangkok's ancient temples and bustling markets. See Ayutthaya's historical park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Trek through jungles, ride elephants, and explore Chiang Mai's beauty. Experience Thai culture and unique sites like the Damnoen Saduak Floating Market and Poopoo Paper park. This fun and informative tour is perfect for first-time Thailand visitors!

9 days 8 nights

Thailand

Classic Highlights

Attractions

Bangkok - Damnoen Saduak - Nakhon Phanom - Ayutthaya - Chiang Mai

Duration

9 days 8 nights

Code

TCT09

Type of tour

Private tour

Overview

This Thailand Tour 9 days: Highlights Discovery will lead you to the essence of Thailand. Friendly and fun-loving, cultured and historic, Thailand absolutely is the ideal destination for your holiday. Explore Bangkok, the capital owning the ancient and modern beauty. Then transfer on a private vehicle to Ayutthaya. This magical place is known for its Ayutthaya Historical Park, which was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site due to its unique and particular beauty. Right after a private vehicle will take you to Bangkok airport to board your flight to Chiang Mai, a city nestled into the foothills of northern Thailand where the landscape is picturesque and out of a postcard.

HIGHLIGHTS

Explore the ancient and modern beauty of the capital Bangkok by yourself
Visit the famous temples in the city
Get a deep insight into Thai culture and local life when visiting Damnoen Saduak Floating Market
Discover Thailand’s ancient capital of Ayutthaya with its historical sites.
Visit the beautiful temples
Short trekking thru the jungle
Have an amazing elephant riding and rafting experience
Pay a visit to Poopoo Paper park to explore paper products from elephant poop fibers

Itinerary

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Warmly welcome you on arrival at Bangkok Suvarnabhumi International Airport. We will pick you up with a comfortable vehicle to the center of Bangkok to check-in your hotel, then take your time to have a rest after a long flight and lunchtime.

Accommodation: At the hotel in Bangkok
Meal : Not available

Today, we will take the whole day to explore Bangkok – the city of golden temples.
The first destination is the Grand Palace, which includes 3 main sites: Royal Palace, Royal Office and pagodas (Wat) built in 1770s. Nowadays, most of national significant events takes place there.
Wat Phra Kaew is famous not only for its beauty of unique Thailand Buddhism architecture but also for the sacred jade Buddha statue.
Nearby Grand Palace is Wat Pho - the oldest and biggest pagoda in Bangkok with more than 1000 Buddha statues and the huge one sit-back Buddha in gold..
We will board on a boat to pay a visit along the Chao Phraya River, watching the life of local people close by. On route, we stop at Wat Arun, the most beautiful pagoda in Bangkok not only for its location on the Chao Phraya’s riverbank but also for the different architecture from other pagodas.
After having lunch, we visit the last destination of the day: Wat Traimit. This pagoda is famous for its unique and historic beauty, and also for the huge golden Buddha statue.
Return to the hotel and you are free to explore Bangkok by night.
Accommodation: At the hotel in Bangkok
Meal : Breakfast

Early in the morning, after having breakfast, we pay a visit to Meaklong Railway Market - a local market has grown up along the rail tracks. When a train pulls in or out of the station, the sellers quickly clear their stalls, and set them up again when the train has passed.
We continue our way to Damnoen Saduak Floating market, which is specialized in trading fruits, vegetables, etc… by small boat.
After having lunch, we will fall into the relax atmosphere in Rose Garden, a huge park built in the middle of rural scenery with the major attractions of Thai Village. Here you can enjoy the activities and shows like Thai boxing, elephant parade, etc.
Return to the hotel and you are free at leisure.

Accommodation: At the hotel in Bangkok
Meal : Breakfast

Having a breakfast and we will transfer to pay a visit in some sites of Ayutthaya Historical Park. Being a ruin with many temples which characterize the handicraft architecture, the park was recognized as World’s Heritage Site by UNESCO.

Wat Phu Khao Thong is a massive pagoda towering in the middle of paddy fields. There is a high golden plated chedi on the top, which makes the pagoda outstanding.
Wat Phra Sri Sanphet was the most important temple of Ayutthaya with 3 towers standing high together in Ceylonese style.
Vihara Phra Mongkhon Bophit is the pagoda in which the bronze Buddha statue in the attitude of subduing Mara is situated. This is one of the biggest Buddha statue in Thailand.
Wat Lokaya Sutha is considered as the sacred place for pilgrims since it’s famous for the reclining Buddha statue. It is also the most important relics in most of those in Wat Lokaya Sutha.

Heading back to Bangkok. En route, we visit the Royal Summer Palace in Bang Pa-in district.
Being a favorite resort of royal, the Royal Summer palace showcases an eclectic collection of buildings that blend European, Khmer, Thai and Chinese architectural styles..
The rest time of day is on your own.

Accommodation: At the hotel in Bangkok
Meal : Breakfast

The morning will be on your own to go to shopping or explore Bangkok by yourself.
In the afternoon, we transfer to the airport, taking a flight to Chiang Mai. Checking-in the hotel in Chiang Mai and then you are free.

Accommodation: At the hotel in Chiang Mai
Meal : Breakfast

Today morning, we have a walking tour to the old town with a stop at the old wall, the moat and a door of the old town. You will see the most beautiful temples of Chiang Mai: Wat Phra Singh temple. built in Lanna style architecture. Known as “The Monastery of the Lion Buddha’, this temple houses a number of highly revered and very old Buddha images.
The next is Wat Phan Tao, an ancient temple sitting right next to the sacred Wat Chedi Luang in Chiang Mai town.
Next to Wat Phan Tao is Wat Chedi Luang. This is a Buddhist temple in the historic centre of Chiang Mai, Thailand.
Then you will stroll along small streets lined with traditional houses, where you will take a rickshaw tour. After that, you will take a walking through the central market of Warorot, which is a great spot for travelers wanting to experience the true Thai culture and daily life.
In the afternoon we visit the Doi Suthep hill. The mountain's temple is one of the most historically and spiritually significant places in Thailand. So, many Thais and foreigners come to experience the special magic of this holy place.
Return to the hotel and you can relax or enjoy going to the night market.

Accommodation: At the hotel in Chiang Mai
Meal : Breakfast

08:00 – 08:30   : Pick up from your hotel or accommodation
08:30   : Drive approximately 1.5 hours South of Chiang Mai through rolling hills, forest, and local farming areas.
10:30   : Arrive at the Sanctuary. Meet your guide and walk for 10-15 minutes through the Jungle to the Elephant Jungle Sanctuary. Change into traditional Karen clothing. Enjoy an introductory lesson about elephant anatomy, history, and behavior.
11:00   : Meet the elephants. Feed, interact, and play with the elephants in a natural environment as you learn about their behavior and history. Take photos with the elephants.
12:00   : Enjoy a lunch of traditional Thai food and fresh fruit.
13:00   : Learn how to make herbal medicine balls, feed the Elephants and then walk with the elephants to the river. Bathe and brush the elephants.
14:00   : Join the elephants for a therapeutic mud spa. Swim in the river and take photos with the elephants.
15:00   : Change clothes and say good bye to the elephants
15:30   : Leave the Elephant Jungle Sanctuary and drive approximately 1.5 hours to Chiang Mai.
17:00-17:30   : Drop off at your hotel or accommodation.

Accommodation: At the hotel in Chiang Mai
Meal                : Breakfast

This day will start with a transfer to Doi Inthanon National Park. It will take approximately 2 hours to the highest peak of Thailand – Doi Inthanon National Park. On arrival, we will spend 2-3 hours trekking through the jungle following a narrow mountain trail which leads us to stunning hidden waterfall in the middle of lush jungle. Along the way before reaching the Pagagayaw Karen hill tribe village, we will pass through the farmland where you will see the coffee plantation, flowers farm and the beautiful rice terraces. Discover the Pagagayaw Karen hill tribe village and taste a cup of locally grown coffee then move on to Wachirathan Waterfall, a 70 meters high thunderous waterfall. Enjoy the cool fresh air at the waterfall before we continue back to the ground.

After that you will visit the beautiful architecture of Napamaytanidol Chedi and Phra Mahatat Napaphon Bhumisiri which build to honor the 60th birthday of King Bhumipol and Queen Sirikit. Finally, transfer back to Chiang Mai airport for your flight back to Bangkok.

Accommodation: At the hotel in Bangkok
Meal : Breakfast

The time will be on your own until we transfer you to the airport, taking an international flight to your hometown.

Accommodation: Not available
Meal : Breakfast

Request price

Trip notes

Tour includes:

Accommodation in a double or twin share room with daily breakfast
Private air-conditioned vehicle during all tours and transfers.
Entrance fees for all visits as mentioned in the itinerary
Experienced English speaking guide during all tours and transfers
Meal as specified in the itinerary
Ferry, boat, cruise in the itinerary (if any)
Water & cool towels
Government taxes & service charge
NOTES: The price is except for peak season during 20 Dec 18 – 15 Jan 2019

Tour excludes:

Thailand Visa stamp fee
International airfare and departure taxes
Meals, if not specified in the itinerary
Early check in/ late check out
Domestic flights and domestic airport taxes
Compulsory Gala dinner on 24th and 31st December
Surcharged for festivals: Christmas Eve, New Year’s Eve, Compulsory Gala Dinner, Chinese New Year, Songkran Festival
Drinks and meal not mentioned
Personal expenses such as laundry, telephone, drinks … etc.
Personal travel insurance (we highly recommend that you purchase adequate insurance).
Gratuities/ Tipping
All other services not specified in the itinerary